Lighter for gas burners



J. G. SCHWAN LIGHTER FOR GAS BURNERS March 26, 1935.

Filed May 9, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 flTTOKNZ' r R M M 5 J? f I a March 26, 1935. J. a. SCHWAN 1,995,867.

LIGHTER FOR GAS BURNERS Filed May 9, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 T TURNE March 26, 1935. J. G. SCHWAN' 1,995,867

' I LIGHTER FOR GAS BURNERS Filed May 9, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 J27 I JN ZENTUE JUHNL-Z EZ'HT/VHN ZTUHNEY r which may have fallen therein in Patented Mar. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BClaims.

My present invention relates particularly to gas ranges, such as are in general householduse. and provided with a constantly burning pilot light, through the instrumentality of which the several burners of the range may be ignited, as desired.

The invention resides in an arrangement of an igniter constituted as a short tuba-firmly set one in each lead-in pipe, which latter conduct the gas from the manifold to the main burners. The igniters are positioned intermediately oi the usual pilot light and the main burners, and divert a small volume of the gas passing through the lead-in pipes. Associated with the pilot light, is a tubular or hollow conductor, co-operating also with the severaligniters, whereby one jet of gas flowing through the igniter, when the gas is turned on at the manifold, is projected by pressure toward the pilot, and ignited by the flame thereof. Such ignition takes place in the tubular conductor. From the igniter, a' second jet of gas is projectedtoward the main burner, which second jet of gas becomes ignited from the first by a back flash, and it in turn ignites the gas flowing at the main burner.

The igniter is constructed with two small ports, arranged so as to emit jets of gas in substantially opposite, or at least difiereht directions, one pointing toward the pilot-light, as stated, and the other toward the main burner of the range; In operation, the actual time required forthe ignition of the gas flowing from the main burner, is greatly reduced, whereby a greater efliciency and certainty ofoperation are achieved. The lighting and re-lighting'are automatic.

The conductor is provided with means co-opcrating with means on the igniters, whereby the conductor may be instantly and accurately positioned in correct relation to the pilot light and to the main burners. The construction of the conductor is such that it may be separated from the installation by simply lifting it out of position, whereby the main burners and other combustion elements of the range are rendered instantly accessible for cleaning, adjustment or repair.

A novel form of guard or shield to prevent ex tinguishment of the constantly burning pilot light, is incorporated in the construction of the conductor, so that the pilot light cannot be extinguished by the boiling over of a pot or kettle. The conductor is also provided with means for conveying away from the pilot light, any water the boiling over of the pot or kettle. I V

Having thus outlined the nature and purposes of my invention, I will now describe the same in the several forms shown, and will point out the novelty residing therein in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

' Figure 1 is a plan view of the top of a domestic gas range equipped with four main burners, and showing my invention as applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in elevation, partly in vertical section, showing the conductor and two of the igniters which support the same from two of the lead-in pipes.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the igniters, showing the depression in its upper end, and by means oi which the conductor shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is positioned for operation. 1

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the igniter, showing the separated ports for emitting gas in diiierent directions, to the pilot light and to the main burner.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of the construction shown in Fig. 1, in which two pilot lights are employed, fed' by a single gas supply duct, with an adaptation of my invention thereto.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view in elevation, partly in vertical section, on the line 6-6, Fig. 5, and showing some details of the modified construction.

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a further modi- I flcation of the inventionin the form shown in Fig. 5, with the two pilot lights provided with independent gas supply ducts.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, enlarged, on the line 8-8, Fig. 7, and showing parts'in elevation.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a further modification of the conductor.

Fig. 10 is an enlargedsectional view on the line 10-10, Fig. 9, transversely of the conductor.

'23, and the main burners 24, with one of which each lead-in pipe is provided. The bell at the front of each lead-in pipe is supported upon the'injector 26 connected with the manifold. The rear end of each lower lead-4n pipe 22 is formed as a crosshead 2'?- which rests upon brackets 28 attached to the frame 20. The upper lead-in pipes 23 are supported upon the'lower lead-in. pipes 22, in a'manner now well known in the art to which the present invention relates.

Each lead-in pipe is bored and threaded at its upper side for the insertion of the threaded lower end of a vertically-standing igniter 29, of tubular vform, which is inserted in the lead-in pipe with its angular lower end 30, facing the flow of gas toward the main burner, so as to divert a portion of such gas upwardly into the bore of the said igniter. Near its closed upper end, the igniter is provided with spaced ports 31 and 31', communicating with the bore, facing in different direc tions, and through which ports jets of igniting gas are projected when the gas is permitted to flow to the main burners. The ports 31 and 31' are connected by a narrow saw kerf 32 through the wall of the igniter. A depression 33 is formed in the upper end of the igniter, for a purpose which will be described.

The conductor 34 is formed as a hollow or tubular member, and is widened at its ends to form heads, in the manner shown in Fig. 1. At the under side of the said widened ends, the conductor is cut away to permit the upper ends of the igniters 29 to enter at the under side of the conductor, and support the latter in the desired horizontal position. Pins 35, or other projections at the inside of the hollow ends of the conductors, are adapted to enter the depressions 33 in the upper, end of the igniters, and support the conductor in proper position with relation to the pilot light and the main burners.

The conductor is provided at its mid-length with a. chamber in which the end of the pilot lighter 36 is entered. The top of the said chamber is preferably circular, has a solid center, and is provided near its rim with a plurality of ventilating openings 37. The solid center referred to is positioned immediately over the jet of the pilot light, so as to shield the pilot light from extinguishment, in the event that a pot or kettle boils over. The opening in the bottom of the conductor, through which the pilot jet is projected, is surrounded by an upturned annular flange 38, which serves to dam and deflect any water which may pass through the openings 37, and cause such water to flow outwardly to the openings in the bottom of the widened ends of the conductor. In this manner, extinguishment of the pilot light is effectively prevented by the shield formed at the top of the chamber. A cleft guide 39, carried by the conductor 34, is adapted to rest astride of the pilot light duct 40, and aid in the positioning and'support of the conductor.

The oppositely extending arms of the conductor 34 are partitioned as at 41, to divide each arm into two passages for the flame igniting the jet of gas projected from the igniter. The flxed partition 41 extends from a suitable point near the pilot light, to the enlarged ends or heads of the conductor, and there forms two combustion chambers, in each of which one of the igniters is entered, as before described. When the gas is permitted to flow through a lead-in pipe to a main burner, jets will be projected through the ports 31 and 31' of the associated igniter and toward the pilot light, and also toward the main burner. The jet of gas flowing through one of the passages of the conductor will be ignited by the pilot light and immediately flash back to the igniter and to the jet projected through the other port, which in turn will ignite the gas flowing from the main burner. When the ignition of the latter takes place, th ii '2: t conductor a. cede to the pil ignite: it is desired to i it is necessary 0 L for the same, the ig from the said burner, 1'

Should the flame of a l extinguished, from any cause, and the gas continue to flow, an automatic re-lighting of the main burner will occur immediately.

In Fig. 5, I have shown a modification in the construction of my invention, in which the conductor 34' is shortened in length, and the pilot light chamber, the latter being constructed as before described, is brought close to the widened end or head of the conductor. Each conductor 34' is adapted to light two of the main burners at one side of the range. In this construction, the range is provided with two pilot lights, supplied with gas by a T-duct. In positioning the conductor 34', the igniters 29' may be provided on their upper ends with a projection 42, adapted to enter a perforation in the top of the conductor 34', to properly position the latter. A cleft guide. likethatshowninFigs.1and2,willbaassociated with each conductor.

In Rigs. 7 and 8, I have shown a very similar construction, in which the two conductors 34 are the same as those shown in Fig. 5, but each pilot light is fed by a separate duct. In Fig. 8, the construction of the igniters is changed as a matter or convenience, to permit a very desirable means of supporting the igniters between two aligned main burners. The opposing sides of the latter are provided with threaded openings into which an elbow 43 may be threaded. Upstanding from the elbow are the igniters 29, supporting the conductor 34.

"A further modification of the invention is shown in Fig. 9, in which the pilot flame chamber 44 of the conductor, is provided with radial arms 45, one extending to the point of location of the igniter 29, with which each lead-in pipe is provided, and by which the enlarged end 46 is supported and positioned by the pin 42, in the manner before described.

In all of the forms shown, when a main burner becomes extinguished from any cause, it will be immediately and automatically re-lighted from the protected pilot light. The conductor can be removed from its position in the range, and restored, without disconnecting any parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a lighter for gas burners, a main burner and a lead-in-pipe for conducting gas thereto, a pilot light, an igniter adjacent the main burner and directly connected with the lead-in-pipe, and a conductor associated with both the pilot light and the igniter andtorming a cover for said igniter, whereby the flame of the pilot will ignite the jet of gas flowing from the igniter, and then ignite the main burner.

2. In a lighter for gas burners, a main burner and a lead-in-pipe for conducting gas thereto, a pilot light, an igniter adjacent the main burner and directly connected with the lead-in-pipe, and a tubular conductor associated with both the pilot light and the igniter and forming a cover for said igniter, whereby the flame oi the pilot will ignite the jet of gas flowing from the igniter, and then ignite the main burner.

3. In a lighter for gas burners, a main burner and a lead-in-pipe for conducting gas the ilct li i E forming a cover for main burn burners igr in a lighter for gas burn and lead-in-pipes for conducting gas thereto, a pilot light, igniters as described adjacent the main burners and communicating each with a lead-inpipe, and a conductor associated with both the pilot light and the igniters and having separate passages leading to the igniters, whereby the flai'ne oi the pilot will ignite the jets of gas flowing from the igniters, and then ignite the main burners.

5. In a lighter for gas burners, a main burner and a lead-in-pipe for conducting gas thereto,

a pilot light, an igniter directly connected with the lead-in-pipe and positioned intermediate the pilot light and the main burner; and a conductor associated with both the pilot light and the igniter and forming a cover for said igniter, whereby the flame oi the pilot will ignite the jet of gas flowing from the ig'niter, and then ignite the main burner.

8. In a lighter for gas burners, a main burner and a lead-in-pipe for conducting gas thereto, a pilot'light, an igniter provided with discharge ports directed toward said burner and pilot light respectively, said igniter being arranged adjacent the main burner and directly connected with the lead-in-pipe, and a conductor associated with both the pilot light and the igniter and forming a cover for said igniter, whereby the flame of the pilot will ignite the jet of gas flowing from one port of the igniter, and then ignite the main burner by the Jet flaming from the other port.

JOHN G. SCHWAN. 

